Keys to the University at Court Square

Keys to the University at Court Square

Steps of Rockingham County Courthouse

Court Square, Harrisonburg, Va.

Inaugural Week
Jonathan R. Alger
March 14, 2013

President Alger speaking at Court Square

Welcome. I want
to thank everyone who participated in the walk from JMU to downtown today. I hope
you all enjoyed it as much as I did. This walk during Madison Week symbolizes
the solidarity between James Madison University and the community. Downtown
Harrisonburg represents the heart of our community. And because Harrisonburg is
the county seat, downtown also represents the heart of the county. In fact, not
everyone knows that Court Square is actually county property.

I want to take
this moment to reflect on the relationship between JMU, Harrisonburg, and
Rockingham County. The university’s founding was welcomed as an important
milestone in the town’s history. A group of local citizens lobbied the General
Assembly with the same gusto that is still evident in our community’s work
ethic today. That group included members whose family names can still be found
in the local phone book: Hulvey, Sipe, Good, Keister, Neff and others.

Our connections
run deep, but they can become even closer. We are here today so that I may
present the keys of the university to Harrisonburg Mayor Ted Byrd and to County
Supervisor Fred Eberly. The tradition of presenting keys dates back to medieval
times, and symbolized welcome and free entry to dignitaries when cities had
high walls and locked gates. We hope this gesture encourages everyone in the
community to feel welcome on campus and a part of our JMU family.

JMU has been
nationally recognized for its community engagement—this is a high priority for
us. Still, we know we can do even more, and research shows that the more we
work together, the better our relationship will be.

So with these
keys, we acknowledge our friendship and welcome you to James Madison University.
We look forward to working with you to make our community even better for all
who live and work here.